Apparatus for covering shoe heels



Feb. 28, 1961 D, 1PP

APPARATUS FOR COVERING SHOE HEELS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 3, 1958FIG.

INVENTOR.

DOA/Al. D l. /PP

FVlG. 2.

Feb. 28, 1961 D. L IPP 2,972,760

APPARATUS FOR COVERING SHOE HEELS Filed Nov. 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2A'r To QNExs Feb. 28, 1961 DQ LIPP 2,972,760

APPARATUS FOR COVERING SHOE HEELS Filed Nov. 3, 1958 A3 Sheets-Sheet 3FIG. v

FIGQH.

INV ENTOR.

.DONALD L PP ATToR/VE Y6 APPARArUsFoR cor/Ennio stron mints DonaldLipp,192-10A 69th Ave., Apt. 1C,

Fresh Meadows, NSY. n

Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,267

15 Claims. (Cl. 1Z---49.1)k

This invention relates generally to a novel apparatus for use in themanufacture of shoes, and is especially concerned with the severing of aheel covering sheet in an intermediate stage of heel manufacture. Aswill become more apparent hereinafter, two separate areas of cutting areinvolved, one along the breast area of the heel, the other inthe toplift area.

As is Well known to those versed in the art, the body or core of a heelis smoothly covered by a flexible sheet adhesively secured along theback and sides of the body and extends forward therefrom beyond thefront side or breast of the heel body. The forwardly extending coverportions are severed and secured in facing engagement with the breast ofthe heel body, preferably smoothly thereon, and a separate coveringsecured on the breast of the heel overlying the severed edge portions.Advantageously, the forwardly extending cover portions are severed toform serrations so as to lie smoothly on the concave surface of the heelbreast without crimping or doubling or creating wrinkles on the sides ofthe heel. Also the forwardly extending cover portions in the top liftarea are also advantageously/.cut for more accurate and properengagement with the top lift area.

These procedures have heretofore been accomplished by hand, requiringconsiderable time and effort even by a highly skilled operator, and notinfrequently resulting in imperfect work, usually evidenced by an unevenr unsmooth heel breast, wrinkles on the sides, overlap in the breast andcuts into the exposed surface along the breast.

It is therefore one object of the present invention ,to provide a highlyimproved apparatus for severing `the forwardly extending portions of aheel cover which greatly increases productivity, eliminates the need forskilled personnel, and which greatly enhances the quality of the work.

It is a further object ofthe present invention to provide apparatus ofthe type described which is extremely simple in construction andoperation, entirely reliable, safe and extremelyy durable over a longuseful life, 'and which can be manufactured and maintained at areasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following Specification' and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features .of

b construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements 'of parts andmethod steps which will be exemplified in the description hereinafter,and lof which the scope will be indicatedby the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a horizontal view showing the apparatus of arent ,Or

'blocks 14 and 15.

Patented Feit. 278, 1961 2 v tially along the line 3-3 of Fig. l,somewhat enlarged for greater detail;

Fig.v 4 is a partial sectional elevational View taken substantiallyalong the lined- 4 of Fig. 1, also somewhat enlarged;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 later stage in operation of theapparatus; y

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a heel before being .operated upon`according to the instant method;

Fig. 7 is a heel subsequent to being operated upon according to theinstant method and apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 4, butshowing a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention; i

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 3, but showingthe embodiment of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing, in enlargeddetail, an element of the device of Fig. 9; and

Fig. ll is a perspective view illustrating the method practised by theapparatus of Figs. 9 and l0.

Referring now more particularly tothe drawings, and specifically toFigs. 1 and 2 thereof, the instant apparatus includes a laterallyextending, generally horizontally disposed bottom plate or base 10 whichis adapted to be supported by any suitable means (not shown) vatconvenient' hand height for an operator.

Secured fast on the upper surface of the base 10 and in facingengagement therewith is a bed plate 11, which is located in thelaterally medialregion of the base 10, and may be forwardly andrearwardly coextensivewith the base. Fixed on the upper surface of thebed 11, as by fasteners 12 and 13, respectively, are a pair of forwardlyand rearwardly spaced, laterally elongate guide l That is, the front andrear guide blocks or rails 14- and 15 extend in substantial parallelismwith each other, respectively along and coextensive with the front andrear edges of the bed 11.' As best seen in Fig. 3, the inner sides ofthe rails 14 and 15, lthat is the rear Side 16 of the front rail 14, asthe front side 17of the rear rail 15, are undercut and combine with theintermediate upper surface of the bed 11 to dene a dovetail-likelaterally extending guideway channel or slot.

A front mounting block 20 is fixed on the upper side of the frontrail 14medially thereof, as by fasteners 21, and extends rearward slightlybeyond the front rail spacedly over the bed 11, as at'24. A rearmounting block 22 is fixed on the upper surface of the rear rail 15medi- 'ally thereof, by fasteners 23 in substantial forward and rearwardalignment with the mounting block 20, and ex-v tendsslightly forwardbeyond the rear rail spacedly 'over the bed 11 at 19. The rear mountingblock 322is of substantially greater *vertical dimension the frontmounting block 20.

Extending forwardly and rearwardly and bridging the space betweenftheportions 24 and 19 of the mounting blocks 20 and 22 is a breast rest orheel contoured supporting plate 25. As best seen in Fig. 3, thesupporting plate 25 is of arcuate configuration, being bent to presenta. convex surface 26 forwardly and upwardly, and a concave surface 27downwardly-and rearwardly. Viewed otherwise, the rearward end region 28of the supporting plate 25 is secured fast in facing engagement with theupper surface of the rear mounting block 22 by a fastener 29, andextends generally horizontally forward to a medial region 30 whichcurves downward and forward and' terminates in a generally verticallydisposed forward end portion 31 secured in facing engagement with therear surface of the front mounting block 20, as by a fastener 32.

In Fig. 1 it may be seen that the lateral dimension but illustrating aor height 'than' of the supporting plate 25, between the side edges 35,gradually increases in the forward direction. Thus, the upper surface 26of the supporting plate 25 is contoured and configured for conformingsurface engagement with the breast surface of a desired size and styleheel, with the side edges 35 substantially ush with the sides of theheel body. Such conformance need not necessarily be perfectand forproper operation there even can be variance in size and style. As amatter of fact, the side edges -35 can even preferably be narrower thanthe sidesl of the heelbody. The undersurface 27 of the supporting plate525 is serrated or grooved, as at 36 in the curved `region Vthesupporting plate 25, and each carries on its upper side a block 39 fixedto the adjacent slide by fasteners 40. kA generally vertically disposedcutting member or plate 41 is xed to the laterally inward face of eachblock 39, as

,by fasteners 42a, so that each slide 38, and its secured block 39 andvcutting member 41 are movable as a unit toward and away from thesupporting plate 25. Further, the upper edge 42 of each upstandingcutting member 41, is movable with its respective assembly 33, 39 pastthe adjacent side edge 35 of the supporting plate 25 into positionbeneath the supporting plate with the upper edge in conformingengagement with the undersurface 27 of the supporting plate. Thus, theupper edge 42 of each cutting member 41 is serrated, as at 43, forconforming engagement in the serrations 36 of the nether supportingplate surface 27. It is now appreciated that the cutting members 41 willeach coact with the supporting plate 25 to effect shearing and wiping ofa material interposed therebetween upon inward movement of a cuttingmember. In addition, the cutting members 41 may be configured in theplan view as seen in Fig. 1 each similarly to the adjacent side edge 35of the supporting plate 25 to thereby effect a substantiallyinstantaneous shearing action. That is, each cutting member 41 is of aconfiguration similar to its adjacent side edge 35 `of the supportingplate 25 so that all shearing coaction therebetween occurssimultaneously.

Mounted on the extreme lateral portions of the base are a pair of airactuable cylinder and piston assemblies 45 each having a rod 46extending laterally inward vand rigidly or pivotally connected to theadjacent block 39. Upon air actuation of the cylinder and pistonassemblies 45, the slides 38 and their associated cutting members 41 arecaused to move toward and away from the supporting plate 25 into and outof shearing coaction with the latter. A pair of air conduits 47 and 48are respectively connected to the outer and inner ends of each cylinderassembly 45 and extends therefrom into air communication with a manuallyor automatically actuable Vcontrol valve 49.

In Fig. 2 it may be observed that eac-h control valve 49 includes acylinder Sti and an axially reciprocable rod 51 carrying a pair ofspaced pistons 52 and 53 in the cylinder. Suitable resilient means, suchas a spring 54 yieldably urges the pistons 52 and 53 in the direction oftheir reciprocation, while a manually or automatically actuable lever 55is operatively connected to the rod 51 to eiect piston movement in theopposite direction of their reciprocation. At opposite end regions ofthe cylinder 5t) are provided exhaust ports 56 and 57, respectivelyadjacent to thel pistons 52 and 53, while an inlet conduit 58 isconnected to a medial region of the cylinder 50 between the pistons 52and 53. The conduit 47 is connected to the cylinder 5i) between theexhaust port 56 and inlet conduit 58, while the conduit 48 is connectedto the cylinder 50 between the exhaust port 57 and the inlet conduit.Thus, in one extreme position lof movement of the pistons 52 and 53, saythe-solid line position of Fig. 2, one exhaust port 57 is closed by itsadjacent piston 53 and the adjacent conduit 48 is placed incommunication with the inlet conduit 58, while the other exhaust port 56is placed in communication with the conduit 47. As the conduit 48 isconnected to the laterally inner end of its cylinder assembly y45,pressure is applied through the latter to effect withdrawal of theassociated piston 46 and cutter member 41 away from the supporting plate25. Conversely, in the opposite extreme position of movement of thepiston rod 46 and cutter member 41 away from the supporting plate 25.Conversely, in the opposite extreme position of movement of the pistonrod 51, as shown in dot-and-dash outline',`the air pressure is appliedto the cylinder assembly 45 through the conduit 47 to move the pistonrod 46 and associated cutter 41 laterally inward to its limitingposition of movement .toward the supporting plate.

Mounted on the rear side of the block 22 is an upstanding support orstandard 60, which is reinforced by a brace 61. On the forward side ofthe standard 60, adjacent to the upper end thereof, is mounted avertically disposed cylinder 62 through which is vertically reciprocablea piston rod 63 carrying a piston 64 interiorly of the cylinder. A coilcompression spring 65 may be circumposed about the piston rod 63 havingits opposite ends in bearing engagement with the piston 64 and the upperend of the cylinder `62 to resiliently urge the piston rod verticallydownward.

On the lower end of the piston rod 63, generally directly over thehorizontal rearward portion 28 of the supporting plate 25, is avertically disposed housing 67, which is rigidly carried by the pistonrod. A slide member 68 is vertically slidable within the housing 67having its lower end projecting through the bottom of the housing andretained in the housing by a pair of laterally outwardly projecting lugs69. The lower end surface 70 of the slide member 68 is slightly convexfor conforming engagement with a heel, as will appear presently. A coilcompression spring 71, or other suitable resilient means, yieldablyurges the slide member to its lowermost position relative to the housing67.

The cylinder 62 and its piston 64 are operated by a valve generallydesignated 74 including a cylinder 75 containing an axially slidable rod76 which carries a pair of spaced pistons 77 and 78. The rod and pistonassembly 76, 77 and 78 is resiliently urged to one extreme position ofits movement by a spring 79, or other suitable means, and a manually orfoot actuable or automatically actuable lever 80 is operativelyconnected to the rod 76 for affecting shifting movement of the latter inthe opposite direction of its movement. An air inlet conduit 81 isconnected between the air inlet conduit 58 and an intermediate region ofthe cylinder 75, While an exhaust port 82 is provided in the cylinder ata location spaced from the conduit 81. At a location between vthe inletconduit 81 and the exhaust port 82, a conduit 83 has one end connectedto the cylinder and has its other end connected to the cylinder 62 belowthe piston 64. In the illustrated position of the valve 74, the piston77 closes the exhaust port 82, and the inlet conduit 81 communicatesthrough the cylinder 75 and conduit 83 with the cylinder 62 beneath thepiston 64 to urge the latter to its uppermost` position, thuswithdrawing the rod 63 and its yieldable clamping member 68 upward awayfrom the supporting plate 25. However, upon actuation of the lever 80,the inlet conduit 81 may be closed by the piston 77 and the cylinder 62,through the conduit 83 and cylinder 75 may exhaust through the port 82,thereby permitting downward movement of the piston 64 under the forceexerted by spring 65, and consequent movement of the clamping member 68toward the supporting plate 25.

In Fig. 6 is shown a heel, generally designated 90, in an intermediatestage of manufacture. A heel body 91 may be of any desired construction,conventionally having a concave front surface or breast 92. A exiblecovering or sheet 93 is adhesively secured to the heel body 91, beingwrapped `about the back and sides of the heel body in facing engagementtherewith.V The covering sheet 93 extends forward from the sides of theheel body beyond the breast 92, there defining forward extension ormarginal portions 94 on opposite sides yof thebreast. Before applying acovering material to the breast 92 of the heel body 91, it is essentialthat the forward extensions or marginal portions 94 of the coveringsheet 93 be reduced to a minimum size and pinked or serrated so as tolie absolutely flat against the breast'surface 92 without bunching orcausing wrinkling on the sides.

By the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is onlynecessary to place the heel 90 on the supporting plate 2S with the outersurface 26 of the supporting plate in conforming supporting engagementwith lthe `breast surface 92 of the heel body, as best seen in Fig. 3.VThe to lower the rod 63 and clamping member 68, the` latter firmly andyieldably engaging the back side ofthe heel above the generallyhorizontal portion 28v of the supporting plate to retain the heel inposition on the plate.

The valves 49 may then be actuated to the dot-anddash outline positionshown in Fig. 2, which will effect inward movement of the cuttingmembers 41 toward the supporting plate 25 into shearing coaction withthe undersurface of the latter, as best seen in Fig. 5. The excessmarginal portions are thereby removed, as at 95 to produce the heel 90aof Fig. 7. In such heel, the marginal portions 94a of the covering sheet93a have been reduced to the proper size and formed with serrations,1kas at 96 along the arcuate region of the breast surface 92-'to insureproper facing engagement of the marginal portions with the body breastsurface. 1

While the device of the present invention has been illustrated anddescribed as being manually operated,as in the feeding of a heel 90 intopositionon the supporting plate 25, and in operation of the foot valve,'74 and hand valve 49, it is appreciated that such feeding and valveoperation may be performed automatically, without human manipulation, ifdesired. The entire device can be operated with the clamping means asshown, or held by hand. it is desirable for a beginner operator to Vusethe yclamping means to learn locating of the Yheelon the suptus of theinstant invention are capable of employment 1 in conjunction with a widevariety of styles and sizes o f heels, itbeingonly necessary to removeand replace the supporting plate 25 and the cutting member 41 vfor usewith a heel of different breast surface configuration if the work is notperformed satisfactory withthe dies described. There does not have to beAperfectconformance as, a finished covering goes over the heel breast. lK

In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the cross heads orslides 33 are mounted onthe base member 10, each slide carry,

tending closely along therespective side surfaces 93a of the supportingmember. i l .Further by way of distinction, each of the blocks 39carries a cutting. member 41a, which cutting members differ 'from thehereinbefore described cutting members 41 by the provision of aninwardly extending knife edge or die cutting blade 44a along its upperedge configure for conforming die cutting engagement with the adjacentside surface 93a-of the supporting member 25u. Thus, upon inwardmovement of each assembly 38, 39 and 41a, its associated cutting edge44a moves'into die cutting coaction with the adjacent supporting membersurface 93u for severing a portion of the adjacent covering extension94.

While the cutting members 41a of Fig. 8 are illustrated at differentdistances from the supporting member 25a, one engaging the latter vandthe other spaced from the supporting member, it is understood that thecutting members preferably move symmetrically for simultaneous cuttingengagement-with the sheet material covering 93, but are shown in thedifferent positions for purposes of clarity of illustration.

In addition to the marginal extensions 94 of the heel body coveringsheet 93, the covering sheet extends longitudinally beyond the lowerheel end, as at 100, see Figs. 9 and l1, along the back and sides of theheel body, being generally of U-shaped configuration in transverse crosssection.

A spring biased backing member 101 is mounted on the rearward, generallyhorizontal portion of the upper supporting membersurface 26a, beingcarried on the forward end of a forwardly and rearwardly extending,generally horizontally disposed rod 102. longitudinally slidable inupstanding bearings 103 and 104. The backing member 101 is of aconfiguration adapted tovconformably engage beneath the lower endextension or marginal portion of the cover sheet 93, and in fiat facingengagement with the upper supporting member surface. 26a, so as to benon-rotatable relative to the s upporting member. An upstanding ar1n105is carried by the rod 102, extending upward and forward therefrom, andfixed thereto for forward and rearward shifting movement with the backmember 101. Suitable resilient means may be employed tourge the unitaryarm105, rod 102 and backing member 101 forward, to a limiting position,say lby `engagement of the arm with the bearing 103. For. this purpose,coil'compression spring, as at 1,06.may be circumposed about thev rodV102 between the'arm 105 and 'bearing member 104, and in bearingengagement withrthe arm and bearing member to yieldably urge the unitaryassembly forward.

Extending vertically through the upper end of the arm 105.,directly'over the backing member 101, is a rod 110, which has anenlarged head on its upper end above the yupper arm end, and' a cuttingmember 112 on its lower end, below the upper arm end. The rod 110,together with its head 111 and cutting member 112 are verticallyslidably mounted in the uppervend of the arm g` and,a coil compressionspring'113 is circumposed about the rod having its opposite ends inengagement withthe head 111 and upper mounting portion ofthe arm 105'resiliently' urge the rod vertically upward. The cutting member1'12, asbest seenin Figs` 9 and l0, is of a generally downwardly opening andslightly outwardly iiaring U-shaped configuration, and is provided onits inaora-'reo `tion'is illustrated in the drawings, such 'asft'o'define a notch 115 in the remaining cover sheet portion to facilitateinward folding thereof. Downward movement of the unitary assembly 11i),111 and 112 may be effected by downward movement of the hammer orstriker 116 against the head 111, and the assembly will return upwardunder the force of spring 113.

From the foregoing it is seen that the method and apparatus of thepresent invention enable an operator to more quickly, elciently, andperfectly perform the heel cover severing operation, and that 'theinstant method and apparatus fully accomplish their intended objects andare well adapted to meet practical conditions of commercial use. I p`There have been described two separate facets of cutting, namely breastlift cutting and top lift cutting. These cutting operations can beperformed at the same time. Knife die 114 can be a male dieinstead of aknife die and be utilized on breast severing male and female diesset-up. The breast cutting means can likewise be a knife -die or maleand female set-up, If desired, continuations of such die arrangementsmay be utilized.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, saidapparatus comprising a supporting plate having one face engageable withthe breast of a heel body with the covering sheet extending on oppositesides of the supporting plate beyond the other face thereof, and cuttermembers movable past said opposite sides of said supporting plate inshearing coaction with said other face thereof to sever the extendingportions of said covering sheet.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in combination with clamping meansmovable toward and away from said one face of said supporting plate forreleasably clamping a heel in position on said plate. p

3. Apparatus according to claim l, said other face of said supportingplate being serrated, and said cutter members being serrated forconforming engagement with said other face of said supporting plate toprovide serrations along the severed edges of said covering sheet.

4. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, saidapparatus comprising a fixed supporting plate configured to have oneface conformably engageable with the breast of a heel body with thecovering sheet disposed on opposite sides of the supporting plateextending beyond the other face thereof, and Va pair of cutter membersmounted on opposite sides of said supporting plate for reciprocationpast the respective adjacent side edge of said supporting plate into andout of shearing coaction with said other face of said supporting plateto sever the extending portions of said covering sheet.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, said supporting plate having said oneface laterally coextensive with the breast of the heel body forextension of said covering sheet closely adjacent to the side edges ofsaid supporting plate.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, in combination With a clamping memberselectively movable toward and away from said one face of saidsupporting plate for clamping and releasing a heel from said position,

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in combination with independentlymanually actuable means for effecting reciprocation of each of saidcover members, an additional foot actuable means for selectivelyeffecting movement of said clamping member.

8. Apparatus for severing a cover sheetapplied to the heel body, saidapparatus comprising a generally hori- 'Zontalbase la supporting platefixedly Ymounted on said base in spaced relation thereabove having aconvex surface facinggenerally upwardly and forwardly andhaving concave`surface facing generally downwardly and rearwardly, a pair of slidesmounted on said base on opposite sides of said supporting plate and eachmovable to-` ward and away from the latter, a cutting member carried byeach of ysaid slides for movement therewith into and out ofposition'beneath said supporting plate past the adjacent side edgel ofsaid supporting plate in shearing coaction with said other surfacethereof, means for selectively effecting movement of said cutter membersinto and out of said shearing coaction with said supporting plates, anda clamping member arranged over said supportingl plate and mounted onsaid base for up-and down movement toward and away from said supportingplate.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, said means for effecting cuttermember movement being independently manually actuable, and independentlyfoot actuable means for effecting movement of said clamping member.

10. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, said`apparatus comprising a fixed supporting member configured to have oneface conformably engageable with the breast of a heel body with thecovering sheet disposed on opposite sides of the supporting member, anda pair of cutting members mounted on opposite sides of said supportingmember for reciprocation into and out of cutting coaction with saidsupporting member to sever the extending marginal sheet materialportions.

1l. Apparatus according to claim l0, said cutting members comprising diecutters movable into and out of die cutting engagement with respectivesides of said supporting member.

12. Apparatus for severing a covering sheet applied to a heel body, saidapparatus comprising a fixed supporting member configured to have oneface conformably engageable with the breast of a heel body with thecovering sheet disposed on opposite sides of the supporting plate andextending beyond the end of the lower heel end, a backing memberremovably seated on said one face of said supporting member engageablebeneath the downwardly extending covering sheet portion of a heelpositioned on said supporting member, and a cutting member mounted formovement toward and away from said one face of said supporting memberand said backing member for movement into and out of cutting engagementwith the extending portion of said covering sheet engaged over saidbacking member.

13. Apparatus for trimming heel covers comprising a base, a pluralityfof die members comprising a central die member stationarily mounted onvsaid base and having a heel-engaging face substantially conforming tothe breast of a heel and two side diemernbers mounted on said base atopposite sides of said central die member for movement toward and awayfrom said central die member between a cutting position and a retractedposition, said die members having cooperating cutting edges to cut bothsides of said heel cover between said central die member and said sidedie members along a line spaced forwardly of the breast of a heelpositioned on said heel-engaging face, and power means for moving saidside die members toward and away from said central die member betweensaid retracted position and said cutting position.

14. Apparatus according to the base claim 14, in which said cuttingedges include zig-zag portions to cut said heel cover along zig-zaglines.

15. Apparatus according to the base claim 14, in which said power meanscomprise a pneumatic power unit for each of said side die members.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Krohn et al. July 11, 1916 Kershaw May 27,1930 Nutt May 12, 1931 Brostrom Dec. 1, 1931 10 Nutt et al. Dec. 15,1931 Brostrom Feb. 13, 1934 Bazzoni Feb. 4, 1936 Tetlow Mar. 3, 1936Bazzoni July 18, 1939 Lovejoy ...2--.. May 15. 1945

